Set up jack

ABSTRACT

A set up jack and certain sub-assemblies for use in machining operations designed to provide ready assembly and disassembly from a T-slotted work table and for universal positioning of a jack support pad.

United States Patent Anderson 1 1 Aug. 29, 1972 [541 SET UP JACK [56] References Cited [72] Inventor: Robert F. Anderson, 3613 13th St., UNITED STATES PATENTS Memmmee Mlch- 49858 789,553 5/1905 Lang ..269/93 [22] Filed: Dec. 11, 1970 2,447,889 8/1948 Adler ..269 94 x 2,802,635 8/1957 Engelbart ..269/309 X [21] APPl- 97,086 3,402,961 9/1968 Larson ..287/20 R x Related APPlicafim FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [631 continuatim-in-pan of 77980 5, 1,157,101 12/1957 France ..269/79 Primary Examiner-Theron E. Condon 52 us. 01. ..269/309, 248/181, 248/354 8, Assist, Examine, Nci| Abrams 248/357, 269/91, 287/ R, 287/21, 269/99 Kenneth Bjork 51 1111.01 ..B23q 3/04, E04g 25/06, Fl6m 13/00 [58] Field of Search ..248/181, 276, 278, 279, 287, 57 ABSTRACT 248/354 R, 354 S, 355, 357; 254/133 A; 269/9194, 289, 309, 74-77, 79, 95-102; 287/20 R, 21

A set up jack and certain sub-assemblies for use in machining operations designed to provide ready assembly and disassembly from a T-slotted work table and for universal positioning of a jack support pad.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 29, 1972- 3,687,443 V Illlilfllll 26 I;

' VENTOR, vRoberr F 0/7 SET UP JACK CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application for Machine Tools, Ser. No. 77,980, filed on Oct. 5, 1970.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to set up equipment and more particularly is concerned with a new and use ful set up jack for use in supporting a work piece being subjected to a cutting, boring, shaping or the like machining operation. Certain new and useful sub-assemblied employed in the jack also are disclosed.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a new set up jack for use with a T-slotted work table.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a set up jack which provides both rapid and easy assembly and disassembly when used in a machining operation to support a work piece. It it is a further object of the present invention to provide a set up jack which offers an infinite number of supporting positions and holding angles.

These and other objects and advantages readily will become apparent from the detailed description presented hereinafter when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an exploded plan view of one embodiment of the set up jack of the present invention showing the individual components as used in combination in the assembled unit.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the jack support pad member shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of another jack support pad for use in the present set up jack.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the support pad of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general, the set up jack of the present invention comprises in combination a T-nut for use in a T-slotted machine or worktable, pivot ball member fastened to a T-nut, pivot pad mating with the pivot ball and a riser post, and a jack body and swivel support pad assembly adjustable along said post and detachably connected thereto.

More particularly this set up jack consists of a T-nut having a stepped head so as to be held by the T-slot of a conventional slotted machine or work table, but having one dimension such that the nut can be slipped into a Tslot anywhere along its length without having to be slipped in from the end. The top portion of the nut extends above the surface of the table top such that it can readily be gripped by the fingers and freely moved along the slot.

The upper portion of the nut contains a threaded opening designed to mate with the threaded portion of a stud member, i.e. shank, of a pivot ball member. A pivot pad mating with the pivot ball supports a threaded post onto which is screwed an adjustable jack support assembly having a swivel pad at its upper end for contacting a work piece to be held up.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the T-nut of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1 consists of an elongated member 10. The bottom portion is a substantially rectangular stepped section 12 having a length sufficient such that in use it is held within a T-slot of a machine or table bed. It is of a width such that this section of the nut can be slipped into a T-slot of the table anywhere along its length without having to be slipped in from the end.

The upper portion of section 12 consists of a vertical wall shoulder 14. The vertical walls 16 of shoulder 14 are indented a distance from the ends of section 12 such that when the T-nut 10 is positioned in a T-slot these slidably but snugly fit between the walls of such a slot in the expected manner of a T-nut and T-slot assembly.

The bottom surface 18 of section 12 is fitted, usually about at its midpoint, with a spring-tensioned pin 19. This pin 19 is of a length such that when compressed as the nut 10 is pushed into a T-slot it permits free rotation of the T-nut 10 within the slot below the walls of the slot. As the T-nut 10 is rotated in an arc of about and the walls 16 become aligned with the walls of a T-slot, the pressure on the nut is released thereby permitting the spring 20 to exert tension on the pin 19. This pin 19 extends downwardly pushing the shoulder 14 of T-nut 10 upwardly against the bottom of the T- slot thereby holding the T-nut 10 in a predetermined position in the slot and preventing it from turning within the slot.

Above section 12, T-nut 10 consists of an elongated shank 22 usually cylindrical in shape and of a height such that the top of this shank 22 extends above the upper surface of a T-slotted table top and provides for easy gripping. Conveniently, as shown, the top of shank 22 is formed into a knurled extension 24 usually of a size, i.e. diameter in the case of a circular cross-section shank larger than the width of the T-slot in a bed or table. This assures that the T-nut 10 cannot fall down into a T-slot of the table in case it is dropped or tilted. This also provides for easy gripping of the T-nut 10 by the fingers for movement and positioning.

The shank 22 has a threaded bore 26 extending down from its top. This bore 26 usually is centrally located and ordinarily extends to near the bottom of shank 22.

As shown in the depicted embodiment the shank 22 and its cap or extension 24 are circular in cross-section. This shape is not critical as any convenient cross-sectional shape can be employed. It is essential only that the T-nut 10 has dimensional characteristics as set forth hereinbefore to obtain the improved operation of installation and positioning unique with the T-nut 10 of the present invention.

The pivot ball member 28 has a ball-shaped head 30 below which is a polygonal, e.g. square, shoulder 32 to be gripped by a wrench when assembling or disassembling the member 28 to or from a T-nut 10. Below the shoulder 32 is a solid cylindrical base 34 of a larger cross-sectional diameter having an elongated shank 36 projecting therefrom. Shank 36 is threaded along most of its length. For a short distance below the bottom surface 38 of base 34 the shank 36 is not threaded and has a diameter slightly less than that of the threads 40 of the shank 36. Usually, the diameter of the nonthreaded portion of shank 36 is about equal to the minor diameter of the threads 40.

In operation a washer member 42 is employed in the assembled jack. One embodiment of a suitable washer 42 as shown is an inverted circular cup-like member having a flat upper surface 44. The underside of the washer 42 is dished out to provide a cavity 46 of a size such that the washer 42 fits loosely over the knurled head 24 of T-nut 10. A threaded opening 48 is centered in washer 42. This mates with the threads 40 of shank 36 and permits the washer 42 to rotate freely around the non-threaded portion of this shank 36.

It is to be understood that the washer 42 does not need to be of the configuration shown. For example, it can be of a conventional flat washer design. Also, the center opening 48 can be larger than shown so as to permit the washer 42 to freely slide on and off shank 36. An advantage of the washer 42 with threaded opening 48 as shown is that once positioned on the shank 36 it will not freely fall therefrom. Further, the dished out configuration provides for ready ease of assembly and lining up the shank 36 to mate with threaded opening 26 in T-nut 10.

The pivot pad 50 consists of a cylindrical member having a concave indention 52 in one end 54 which mates with the curvature of the ball 30. The other end 56 of the pivot pad contains a depression 58 designed to freely slidably engage a shank 60 of a threaded post 62. Post 62 is a threaded stud having cut down sections 64 extending its length on both sides and threaded sections 66 in between the cut down sections 64. The post 62 contains in its top a depression 68 which can accommodate the shank 60 in the bottom of a second shaft 62 if these are employed in stacked array.

The posts 62 generally are fabricated in from 3 to 8 inch lengths. Conveniently, they are made in one inch incremental differences in length. Because of the versatility of operation, it is unnecessary to have a large number of posts 62 of different lengths as in an assembled jack a post 62 of a predetermined height can readily be fashioned by connecting two or more of the posts 62 together.

Further, it is to be understood that the lower end of the riser post 62 can be concave so as to conform with ball 30, thus eliminating the need for a separate pivot pad.

A tubular member, i.e. jack body, 70, is designed such that its internal bore is generally circular but elongated at two opposite portions and of a size to accommodate riser post 62. Threads 72 fill the circular portion, the elongated sections 74 being non-threaded. The sections 64 of post 62 are generally just cut down to the body of the post 62 and permit the post 62 to be freely slid up and down within the collar 70 when sections 64 are adjacent threads 72. In operation, at a predetermined level or height, the post 62 is turned usually about 90 degrees to obtain maximum gripping of threads 66 of post 62 and mating threads 72 of collar 70 thereby securing the collar at a fixed height. Preferably, the trailing edge of the threads 66 of post 62 are flattened or otherwise deformed so as to stop the post 62 from being turned beyond the locked position. For convenience in gripping and turning the collar 70, its outer surface is knurled as shown or otherwise roughened. This is not critical as a smooth external surface is not detrimental to the operation of the assembly. Preferably, as shown, one end of the collar 70 can contain a shoulder 76 having flattened sections 78 on opposite sides. These are positioned so as to be in line with the elongated non-threaded sections 74 of the internal bore. This serves as a visual aid to facilitate locking of the collar onto post 62; when the flat sections 78 are lined up with the non-threaded sections 64 of the post 62, the threads 66 and 72 are aligned.

The other end of collar 70 is formed into a section of external threads 80. These threads 80 accommodate the mating cap nut base 82 of a swivel jack pad unit 84. The jack pad 86 itself is held firmly but in a pivotable and rotatable position in the top of said cap nut 82. This assures that the jack pad 86 is able to pivot in all directions at angles of up to about 30 degrees or more from the vertical. One operable configuration for holding the jack pad 86 is to form its base into a ball 88 which fits into a depression in the upper shoulder 90 of cap nut 82 being held in place by restraining flanges 92. The shoulder 90 is a polygonal perimeter,i.e. square or hexagonal, for example, thereby serving as a nut for gripping with a wrench to achieve fine and universal height adjustment in positioning the jack during operation. The external surface of the cap nut 82 depicted in FIG. 1 is knurled or otherwise roughened for the same reason as disclosed for the collar 70. However, again, this surface can be smooth if desired.

The support surface 94, i.e. that segment which contacts the work piece, of jack pad 86 can be of any of a variety of designs. Ordinarily it is flat over a major portion of its surface to give the maximum of contact with the workpiece. It can contain indented concentric grooves 96; alternatively, it can be fitted with a tapered slot 98 across its diameter for use in holding the corner or edge of a work piece.

The support surface 94 of jack pad 86 also can be fitted with a depression 100 to hold a pin (not shown) of various shapes for certain gripping applications.

As shown, the jack pad 86 is substantially in the shape of a truncated cone. This design is not critical as the jack pad can be of other configurations which will give the swivel movement and requisite support to a work piece during use of the set up jack.

In using the set up jack accessory embodiment shown in the FIGS., a T-nut 10 is slipped into the T-slot of a table top or machine bed. Once in the slot at a predetermined position it is turned to have its side walls 16 mate with the walls of the slot and the pressure on it released whereupon tension pin 19 pushes the walls 16 of the nut 10 up against those of the slot. The assembly of pivot ball member 28 and the washer 42 on its shank 36 is screwed into the threaded depression 26 of T-nut 10 thereby securely holding member 28 in a fixed position, the lower face of the washer being against the face of the machine bed or table top.

A post 62 of predetermined length, or a plurality of posts 62 in stacked array to provide the desired or required height for a jacking or supporting operation is slid from its top into the bottom of the jack body 70. In any event the height of the post 62, or stacked array of posts 62 if such is used, must be such that the top does not extend so far above the top of the jack body as to prevent the cap nut 82 from being screwed securely onto threads 80. Conveniently, the cap nut 84 having a preselected jack pad 86 of a configuration best suited for a given operation is screwed onto jack body 70 before assembling the post 62 and jack body 70 to forestall the latter action. However, the cap nut 82 can be. screwed onto jack body 70 after the assembly of post 62 and jack body 70 has been made. The collar (jack body) 70 and post 62 are positioned such that the threads 66 of the post 62 are adjacent the non-threaded sections 74 of the collar 70. This permits the jack body 70 to freely be movable up and down along the post 62. The shank 60 of the bottom-most post 62 is slid into depression 58 of pivot pad 50. The entire assembly is placed on the pivot ball 30 with the concave portion 52 of pivot pad 50 contacting the ball 30. The jack body 70 is slid along post 62 until the swivel jack pad 86 comes into contact with the workpiece to be supported and the collar 70 and/or post 62 turned to effect engagements of threads 66 and 72. The jack pad 86 is made snug against the work piece by turning cap nut 82, the jack body 70 being held in its locked position (threads engaged) on post 62. The final tightening, i.e. fine adjustment, of the jack can be either by hand or by means of a wrench on the nut 90.

In support operations where the jack is used in a vertical position, the T-nut l0 and pivot ball unit 28 need not be employed. In such actions, the pivot pad 50 can be placed on the surface of a machine table top and a riser post or stacked array of riser posts 62 of predetermined height positioned therein, the jack body 82 with swivel support pad assembly 84 being fitted to the upper end of post 62 as described hereinbefore.

The various components of the present invention are made from materials ordinarily employed for such tools. Tool steel commonly is used. However, for some operations where extreme high strength is not required, aluminum alloys and magnesium alloys provide a desirably high strength to weight ratio and are suitable for many operations. Other metals as used in tooling and clamping operations can be used.

It is expected that the various components will be sold in sets. However, because of the versatility and interchangeability of various components as has been disclosed in the present specification it is also to be understood that the various novel individual components are to be made available.

I claim:

1. A set up jack which comprises in combination:

a. a T-nut for use in a T-slotted machine table, said T-nut consisting of an elongated member, the bottom portion of said member being a substantially rectangular stepped section, said stepped section having a length sufficient such that when positioned in a T-slot it is held therein but having a width such that said rectangular section can be slipped into the T-slot of a table anywhere along its length, the upper portion of the stepped section of said T-nut being a vertical walled shoulder indented a distance from its end such that when said T-nut is positioned in said T-slot the walls slidably but snugly fit between the walls of said T-slot, the bottom surface of said stepped section being fitted with a spring tensioned pin, said pin being of a length such that when compressed it permits free rotation of said T-nut within a T-slot and when released it pushes said T-nut upwardly against the bottom of said T-slot, the walls of said shoulder being aligned with the walls of said T-slot thereby h ld'n s 'd T-nut in a redet rm'ne s'ti within sal slot, an elongated siianlt dime/23 9313 stepped section, said shank being of a height such that the top of said shank extends above the upper surface of the T-slotted table, the upper portion of said nut containing a threaded opening,

A pivot ball member having an elongated threaded shank the threads of which mate with said threaded opening in said T-nut as said pivot ball member is fastened to said T-nut,

a riser post and pivot pad configuration mating with the ball of said pivot ball member, and

d. a jack body and swivel support pad assembly adjustable along said post and detachably connected thereto.

2. The set up jack as defined in claim 1 wherein the jack body is a tubular member, the internal bore of which is generally circular in shape but being elongated at two opposite portions, the circular portion of said passage being fitted with threads and the elongated portions being non-threaded, and said riser post consisting of a threaded member having cut down sections extending along its length on both sides corresponding to the threaded portions of said bore in said jack body, said cut down sections permitting said post to be freely slid up and down within said bore in said jack body when said cut down sections of said post are adjacent the threaded sections of said bore in said jack body, the threads in said post mating with the threads in said bore when said post is turned within said bore.

3. The set up jack as defined in claim 1 and having a pivot ball member which has a ball-shaped head below which is a polygonal shoulder, a base below said shoulder and an elongated shank projecting from said base, said shank being threaded along most of its length, and a washer member positioned on said shank.

4. The set up jack as defined in claim 2 wherein the jack body has an external threaded section at its upper end, said threads accommodating a mating cap nut base of a swivel jack pad unit, the jack pad being firmly but pivotably and rotatably held in the top of said cap nut.

5. The set up jack as defined in claim 4 wherein said jack pad can pivot in all directions at an angle of up to about 30 degrees from the vertical.

6. The set up jack as defined in claim 1 and having a cylindrical pivot pad member, said member having a concave indentation in one end which mates with the curvature of said pivot ball and the other end of said pivot pad member containing a depression designed to slidably engage the shank of a riser port. 

1. A set up jack which comprises in combination: a. a T-nut for use in a T-slotted machine table, said T-nut consisting of an elongated member, the bottom portion of said member being a substantially rectangular stepped section, said stepped section having a length sufficient such that when positioned in a T-slot it is held therein but having a width such that said rectangular section can be slipped into the Tslot of a table anywhere along its length, the upper portion of the stepped section of said T-nut being a vertical walled shoulder indented a distance from its end such that when said T-nut is positioned in said T-slot the walls slidably but snugly fit between the walls of said T-slot, the bottom surface of said stepped section being fitted with a spring tensioned pin, said pin being of a length such that when compressed it permits free rotation of said T-nut within a T-slot and when released it pushes said T-nut upwardly against the bottom of said T-slot, the walls of said shoulder being aligned with the walls of said T-slot thereby holding said T-nut in a predetermined position within said slot, an elongated shank above said stepped section, said shank being of a height such that the top of said shank extends above the upper surface of the T-slotted table, the upper portion of said nut containing a threaded opening, b. A pivot ball member having an elongated threaded shank the threads of which mate with said threaded opening in said T-nut as said pivot ball member is fastened to said T-nut, c. a riser post and pivot pad configuration mating with the ball of said pivot ball member, and d. a jack body and swivel support pad assembly adjustable along said post and detachably connected thereto.
 2. The set up jack as defined in claim 1 wherein the jack body is a tubular member, the internal bore of which is generally circular in shape but being elongated at two opposite portions, the circular portion of said passage being fitted with threads and the elongated portions being non-threaded, and said riser post consisting of a threaded member having cut down sections extending along its length on both sides corresponding to the threaded portions of said bore in said jack body, said cut down sections permitting said post to be freely slid up and down within said bore in said jack body when said cut down sections of said post are adjacent the threaded sections of said bore in said jack body, the threads in said post mating with the threads in said bore when said post is turned within said bore.
 3. The set up jack as defined in claim 1 and having a pivot ball member which has a ball-shaped head below which is a polygonal shoulder, a base below said shoulder and an elongated shank projecting from said base, said shank being threaded along most of its length, and a washer member positioned on said shank.
 4. The set up jack as defined in claim 2 wherein the jack body has an external threaded section at its upper end, said threads accommodating a mating cap nut base of a swivel jack pad unit, the jack pad being firmly but pivotably and rotatably held in the top of said cap nut.
 5. The set up jack as defined in claim 4 wherein said jack pad can pivot in all directions at an angle of up to about 30 degrees from the vertical.
 6. The set up jack as defined in claim 1 and having a cylindrical pivot pad member, said member having a concave indentation in one end which mates with the curvature of saiD pivot ball and the other end of said pivot pad member containing a depression designed to slidably engage the shank of a riser port. 